This week in Arcane Inkdustries has been about...planning.

I'm reminded as we are looking to the future of a location from The Sandman. The Garden of Forking Ways, Destiny's domain. A garden whose paths and twists and turns branch off every time you make a choice.

Destiny is a funny thing to consider in the context of writing. Oftentimes we are the ones writing the script, but we never stop to consider just how many books we turn away, or turn towards, by the decisions that we have made.

We are putting forth a ton of new books and comics in the next couple of years. There's going to be The Shattered Wing, and our short comics. Legends of the Realm will continue, as will so much of this world.

As we plan, my COO and I are asking a fun but crucial question: How much do YOU want from Arcane Inkdustries?

Please know that this isn't an innocent poll. We want to know how much you want from us, and there is an honest-to-goodness amazing backlog of books. We want to know how fast and how often you want to see projects and campaigns from us.

Destiny and planning is a curious thing. We as people often find ways to trick ourselves to both abrogate our influences upon the future, and ignore what ripples we may make upon the timestream. As we are writing, I always try to remember how isolated I may be, but how caught up I am in the present company. Of you, dear reader. Of the present moment. And how it brings new life to our works.

I hope you enjoy everything we are doing.

State of the Inkdustries

Legends of the Realm - The books are at the printers! We are so excited about that ginormous step has started. It means that we will soon have volume 1 in hand, and then will send it off to our amazing Kickstarter backers before bringing them to the world at-large. Our first trade paperback! It's super exciting!

For our short comics, we are almost done with the pencils for Shania's comic and about a third of the way through the inks of the Sanctaidd comic. It has been a wonderful new way of seeing what Dannisfire and Tir Aileni look like!

The Innkeeper's Dirge - We started working on book three this week! I have committed myself to trying to write five hundred words a day, which would mean by this time next year I'll have written book three. I'm currently up to...a thousand words a day. I mean...that's better, right?

Seriously, I have loved seeing how the story of the Fiorae is coming out. The words continue to flow because both myself and our beta readers are enjoying it. I hope you will, as well.

And now for some sponsored content! If you love what we're doing, make sure you check out Ground News!

The Lore Corner

This week we are studying some of the demons of Phaedrod: The Faelsin

The Gallantine Empire has spent millennia cataloging and studying what demons they find and kill. The denizens of Phaedrod are incalculably varied and obscene, the hellscape building monsters that can survive its landscape and predators.

The most common creature to cross through the Scar into the Maelswood is known simply as the Faelsin. A general term for the tall, twisted creatures with no magic and little brains. Able to walk and talk like humans, but well over seven feet tall, with features that belong on beasts. Whether it be tusks, or scales, fangs, the Faelsin are twisted abominations driven only by the need to conquer and destroy.

What makes Faelsin so dangerous is that they are one of the few demonic races that seem able to respond to orders. Shraekti, the magic-users, even the Demon Lords that somehow break through the Scar often utilize the monstrous brute Faelsin as shock troops and fodder. Faelsin readily accept those they acknowledge as more powerful than them.

This ability to work together is almost unknown amongst the other demons. The Empire has often made short work of other demonic beings because they descended into chaos in the face of organized resistance.

It is the opinion of the Gallantine Empire that without the Faelsin and several other minor races, Tir Aileni would long ago have cleansed itself of the Maelswood and the forces of Phaedrod. It is only through the slight organization of the Faelsin that the Maelswood is allowed to be so chaotic. Were any of the more powerful races able to understand this fact, Tir Aileni would be in dire straits, indeed.

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Where to Find Us Next

Hey! That's this Saturday! I'm going to see people this Saturday if they're coming to our local Farmer's Market!

If you want to read more of our short stories, poetry, see behind-the-scenes work, or support everything that Arcane Inkdustries is doing, click the link and sign up to be a Patreon supporter now.

Thank you for reading. I hope that this sparked a piece of magic for you this week.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Jack Holder

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